An EV car comes with a battery pack which work as a fuel, providing the energy needed to run the car. As it is the main component of electric car, users often ask for the battery life. They ask for the life expectancy of battery pack or up to what kilometers the batteries will last and how long backup it will give in 1 charge.
Due to reasons like environmental awareness, fuel savings, and government new EV related policies, people are now preferring electric cars over traditional petrol-diesel cars. But, whenever it comes to buying an electric car, the biggest question is how long will its battery last? Let’s discuss this topic in detail.
Electric Car Battery Lifespan
Earlier the battery lifespan of an EV car was around 5 years. But latest AI-driven engineering and charging technologies have improved the battery life expectancy by 50% and that’s the reason nowadays they last for 8 to 10 years. The new technologies that helped to improve the battery lifespan are:
- The latest manufacturing technologies like Advance coating & design, Cell placements, and AI-Driven Manufacturing Optimization, have improved the battery setup to a great extent.
- Apart from that, a lot has been improved in the charging area where an intelligent BMS (Battery Management Systems) controls the charging and discharging process in smart way. This way the battery pack of electric car gets the decent amount of charge within safe limit and battery stay safe and don’t degrade quickly.
At present time, the manufacturers use the Lithium-ion ( (Li-ion) batteries in the modern electric cars. While manufacturing, they always use new technologies to increase the life span of the battery pack and this is the result nowadays, the battery pack of an EV car lasts for 8 to 10 years.
The above we mentioned is a general perception. However, battery life depends on many others factors, such as driving habits, climate, charging method and battery care. An average EV battery has the capacity to last for 1,00,000 to 2,00,000 km, after which its capacity gradually starts decreasing. As published on Euro News, EV batteries are typically considered at the end of their life when they drop below 70 to 80 per cent of their original capacity.
To make this statement more authentic that an EV car lasts for 8 to 10 years, there a study by Geotab which reveals that the battery degradation occurs more slowly than before, averaging just 1.8% per year. This means that in 8 years the battery capacity will drop from 100% to 84%, if we go with 10 years lifespan, then this will be around 78-79% and there you need to change the batter pack as the studies shows, this is the end of battery life when drop below 70 to 80%.
Major EV car brands in India like Tata, Mahindra , Maruti Suzuki and others MG, Hyundai, Kia agree on this battery lifespan and that’s why they offer 8 years warranty on their high-voltage battery packs. This gives a confidence to buyers that yes we can buy an EV car as primary option.
Factors affecting battery life
- Charging habits: Always charging the battery to 100% or using fast charging frequently can reduce battery life. Experts suggest that it is best to keep the battery charged between 20% and 80%.
- Effect of temperature: Extremely hot or cold weather affects battery performance. Batteries can degrade quickly in the heat, while range is reduced in the cold.
- Driving style: Driving at high speeds, frequent acceleration, and braking puts more stress on the battery, which can reduce its life. So it is better work on your driving skills and get more from the battery pack. A little save can give you big benefit.
- Regular maintenance: Leaving the battery unused for a long time or storing it incorrectly can also be harmful.
- Original or Compatible Charger: It is advised always use a compatible charger to charge the car, also if possible use the original charging gun to charge the vehicle.
Battery degradation: What happens?
Over time, the capacity of an EV battery starts decreasing, which is called battery degradation. Most manufacturers guarantee that the battery will retain 70-80% of its capacity for 8 years or 1,60,000 km. For example, companies like Tesla, Tata, and Hyundai offer long warranties, which gives customers confidence.
So battery degradation is a normal thing which you can’t control. Even it degrades in the most expensive EV cars, so once it drops below 70 or 80% then its time to change the battery pack. As per the reports, the EV car battery drops 1.8%-2% each year, means in 8-10 years it will drop below 80% and then you can replace the old battery pack with new one.
Tips to make the battery last longer
- Avoid overcharging or completely discharging the battery.
- Use slow charging as much as possible. Use fast charging only when required.
- Park the car in the shade in summer and use pre-conditioning in winter.
- Regular servicing and software updates help keep the battery performing better.
Is battery replacement expensive?
Yes, currently EV battery replacement can be quite expensive, ranging from ₹3.5 lakh to ₹15 lakh or even higher. However, with technology improving and battery prices falling, this cost is expected to reduce in the future. Some companies are also offering the option of refurbished or exchanged batteries, which are cheaper than new batteries.
Conclusion
Electric car batteries can last a long time, provided they are properly maintained. With the continuous improvement in technology, even more durable and affordable batteries will be available in the future. If you are planning to buy an EV, understand the battery care and warranty policy thoroughly, so that you can enjoy better performance for a long time.
Electric vehicles are not only better for the environment, but also put less burden on your pocket in the long run. With just a little caution and understanding, you can maximize the life of your EV battery.
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